1 Timóteo 2
Kent Hughes · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Timóteo 2
Hughes - 1–2 Timothy and Titus) Rick Renner (Click for full discussion) - Praying for Those in Authority—1 Timothy 2:1–3 Excerpt - Even if we don’t like the way things are going in our government, we must obey the apostle Paul’s exhortation in First Timothy 2:1–3 to pray for our governmental leaders. Before you dismiss Paul’s instructions to pray for those in authority as too simplistic, remember that he lived at a time of grossly immoral governmental leadership and that he ultimately was martyred by Nero—the very “king” he asked people to pray for! In First Timothy 2:1–3, Paul declared, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.…” Paul gave us six prayer commands in these verses that God expects us to obey—regardless of who is calling the shots politically. In this passage of Scripture, he clearly defined guidelines for us to follow when we pray. Rather than rush to God with accusations, complaints, grumbling, protestations, and whining, we are to follow the positive approach in prayer Paul provided. He began by saying, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications.…” (Click for full discussion) What’s More Important Than Voting? Joe Stowell Don’t forget to vote! We have all heard that call to good citizenship. But beyond being a good citizen, being a good follower of Jesus means that we don’t forget to pray for our leaders. When we do pray, it just may make a difference in our own lives! I don’t know how you feel about the people in authority over you, but if you’re like me, praying for them may not be your first impulse. There are plenty of leaders I would rather vote out of office than pray for! Yet according to 1 Timothy 2:1-2, we are to include them on our prayer list on a regular basis. We may not have “kings” who rule over us, but all of us can name people who qualify as “those in authority”—government officials, police officers, supervisors, parents, teachers, and a host of others who can pull rank on us. Sometimes it’s hard to know how to pray for them, especially if we don’t know them personally. But we can start by praying for what they need. Every leader could use an extra dose of God’s wisdom for the challenges and decisions they face. In addition to wisdom, we should pray for integrity—for honesty and uprightness in their actions and freedom from deceit. Pray that they would have a genuine commitment to doing what is best for those who are under their authority. Ask God to give them humility that will enable them to use their power not for their own gain but for the good of the people. Pray that godly people will be in their circle of influence. Pray that they will come to know Christ as Savior. But our text alerts us to the fact that praying for those in authority is not the end of the line. We ourselves are standing in the need of prayer as well. First, we are called to pray for “peaceful and quiet lives” that are marked by “godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:2). If we pray for our leaders and pursue these character qualities in our own lives, we just might make some progress—and in turn make a marked difference on our society and on our leaders as well. Second, when we pray for those in authority over us, it serves to remind us that they are under God’s authority. And, just as they are under God’s authority, so must our lives be under His authority as well. When we are irritated that others don’t lead as people under the authority of His righteousness, we should think about how He must feel when we don’t live under His authority in the choices we make and attitudes we express. And remembering that He is the ultimate ruler reminds us that our hope is not in earthly “kings” but in the King of kings, who alone has power and authority over even the most powerful rulers. Connect the dots! When we recognize that Jesus is the only One who can make a difference in the lives of our leaders, it should stir our hearts to pray for them. And, as we pray for them, our hearts just may be stirred to focus on the needs of our own lives. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, through prayer, Jesus would change the hearts of those leaders? Wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing if, through prayer, Jesus would change your heart and my heart? So, don’t forget to vote. And, more importantly, don’t forget to pray! YOUR JOURNEY… Make a list of the leaders in your life. Ask the Lord to reveal some prayer points for those people, and commit to praying for them on a regular basis. As a result of his bold witness for Christ, Paul had significant interaction with those in authority over him. Read the book of Acts chapters 22–26, and learn from Paul’s example. What was the exchange between Paul and King Agrippa in Acts 26:28-29? Have you ever prayed for your leaders like that? Look for some ways to actively demonstrate your prayer support for leaders. Organizations such as the National Day of Prayer (www.ndptf.org) can help you get started. 1 Timothy 2:2 The Lord wants us to pray for all nations, and for kings and for all in authority (1Ti 2:2). We can exercise knee-based influence over leaders whom we may never meet. Here's an example: Prince Edward VII of England was well known for his drinking and immorality. When his mother, Queen Victoria, died in 1901, Edward assumed the throne at age fifty-nine and reigned for nine years. In 1910, a prayer warrior named Joe Evans was vacationing in the New York mountains, away from newspapers and interruptions. One morning he felt a burden to intercede for Edward, and the burden became so intense he anguished in prayer for the king's conversion. The following day came the news, "Edward is dead." Years later, Joe shared dinner with Dr. J. Gregory Mantle of England. Dr. Mantle said, "Joe, did you know that Edward VII was saved on his deathbed?" He went on to explain: "The king was in France when he was taken ill. He was brought to England and there was hope that he might recover. However, there came a turn for the worse. At that time, His Majesty called one of his lords-in-waiting and ordered him to go to Paternoster Row and secure for him a copy of a tract that his mother, Queen Victoria, had given to him when he was a lad. It was entitled "The Sinner's Friend." After much searching, the lord-in-waiting found the tract, brought it to His Majesty, and upon reading it, King Edward VII made earnest repentance and received the Lord Jesus as his Savior." (My All in All - Robert J Morgan) Better Times Ahead [Pray] for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life. —1 Timothy 2:2 Paul lived in the Roman Empire under the rule of the cruel and ruthless Nero. Yet he saw the possibility of better times ahead. If he hadn't, he wouldn't have exhorted the first-century Christians to pray for "a quiet and peaceable life" (1Timothy 2:2). If Paul were living today, I don't think he would be pleased when Christians paint a totally dark picture of the future. Although some governments do repress their citizens, think of what's happened. Since the Berlin Wall came down, new winds of freedom have been blowing in the world. And even though immorality and broken homes are still a terrible blight, many people seem to be returning to the values of marital fidelity. I believe that the only real hope for the world is the return of Jesus Christ. I don't know when the Lord will come, but while I wait I'll continue witnessing for Him and praying for a great revival. I'll be asking the Lord to lead the nations into paths of peace and prosperity. I'll be doing what I can to help people who are struggling in dire poverty. I'll vote for leaders who uphold moral values. Keep me ever watching, Master, That no fear my faith may shake; Working, praying, hoping, longing, Till the joyful morn shall break. —Dimmock The future is as bright as the promises of God. Prayer And Politics [Pray] for all men, for kings and all who are in authority. . --1 Timothy 2:1-2 In 1787 a convention was called in the United States to revise the Articles of Confederation. For weeks delegates reviewed ancient history and analyzed modern governments, searching for insights. But nothing suited the infant nation. Finally, a distinguished gentleman named Benjamin Franklin rose and said, "In this situation of this assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth and scarce able to distinguish it when it is presented to us, how has it happened that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of Lights to illuminate our understandings?" Mr. Franklin believed there was a sovereign God who could provide guidance to those who sought it. If ever there was a time to follow that prayerful example, it is now. Paul said that governments are ordained of God (Ro 13:1), and that we are to pray for those in authority over us (1Ti 2:1, 2). This prayer principle also applies to the election of our leaders. We must become informed and vote prayerfully for those who shape our laws. In God we trust, let others trust their rulers, We trust in God to save us from alarm; Like broken reeds, the works of man will fail us, Our God alone can keep us from all harm. --Smith Whatever makes men good Christians makes them good citizens. --Webster
1 Timóteo 2
Hughes - The First Thing to Do I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.—1 TIMOTHY 2:8 Although doubt can be turned destructively against error, it is also possible for it to be turned destructively against truth. How do we deal with the darker side of doubt? The first thing we must do is to bring every doubt into the open and examine it. Most Christians fail to do this; they do nothing with their doubts and just hope they will go away. But the way people react to their doubts is an indication of their attitude to doubt itself. Many feel ashamed when they experience doubt and thus push it below the surface of their minds and refuse to recognize it. Some even regard doubt as the unpardonable sin. Others treat it as an unmentionable subject and never refer to any doubts they have for fear they are letting the team down. I myself sometimes struggle with doubt—even after more than fifty years in the Christian life. In the months following my conversion, I had doubts about the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible until I decided to accept it by faith. When I did, all my doubts concerning it were immediately dissolved, and from that day to this I have never had one doubt about the reliability of Scripture. But I have doubted other things—particularly in the area of personal guidance. I have learned, however, not to let doubts threaten or intimidate me, and when they come I simply look them in the face and say: "I am going to put you in harness and make you work to bring me closer to God." Now my doubts get fewer and fewer. Prayer Father, how can I sufficiently thank You for showing me how to take the negative things of life and turn them into positives? Nothing need work against me when I have You within. I am so thankful. Amen. (Everyday with Jesus) Wrath and dissension - Prayer Summits : Seeking God's Agenda for Your Community (BORROW) by Joe Aldrich Is there a missing link? Absolutely. It's unity. Adam and Eve lost it for us in the paradise of God. Driven from Eden, polarized by sin, crippled by selfishness, the first couple quickly discovered disunity had taken up residence in the very core of their beings. Their kids came down with it and Abel died at the hand of his brother, Cain. A lethal dose of disobedience laced with a pinch of jealousy was all it took to precipitate the first murder. Peter Kennedy - The Hand of Prayer "I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing."—1 Timothy 2:8 A hand can be clenched in anger or used for prayer. The index finger represents those who point the way to Christ. This would include ministers and pastors, missionaries and Sunday school teachers. The middle finger is the tallest of the fingers and represents those who have authority. This finger represents the president, Congress, the governor, and all who are our leaders throughout the world. The third finger, sometimes called the ring finger, is the weakest of the three larger fingers. We are to remember those who are helpless, homeless, ill, poor, and less fortunate than us. The smallest finger represents my own needs and those of my family, friends, and neighbors. The one digit that can easily touch all of the fingers is the thumb. The thumb represents prayer. As the thumb touches each of the different fingers, we can remember to pray for those who Christ has brought to mind. The next time you feel your hands clenching into a fist, extend them to Jesus Christ instead. Which "finger" is causing the anger? Touch it with your thumb and pray. Christ is faithful to give you wisdom. "No man can think clearly when his fists are clenched."—George Jean Nathan Old School I desire . . . that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel. —1 Timothy 2:8-9 Today's Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:8-10; As we hurtle through the first part of this new century, we see an increase in people questioning time-honored standards. This was plainly detailed recently by a teen pop star—a girl who professes faith in Jesus. While discussing standards for modesty in how she dresses, she discounted criticism of her skimpy clothing by saying, “That’s so old school.” This young woman is both right and wrong. In a sense, she’s right. The standards of dress for Christians are “old school.” They were written down more than 2,000 years ago. But her attitude that suggests ancient standards can be set aside is wrong. In the truest sense, the principles in the Bible are not “old” as much as they are timeless. While written ages ago, they are still fresh and applicable. As to the question of modesty, when the Bible says women should “adorn themselves in modest apparel” (1 Tim. 2:9), it is still true today that we shouldn’t dress to draw attention to ourselves. A more general principle, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed” (Rom. 12:2), is a 2011 command that can guide the question of how we dress. Dear Lord, help us to follow the timeless standards of the Bible in speech, clothing, and other lifestyle matters. May all we say and do bring glory to You. Amen. Do my choices bring glory to God or draw attention to me? 1 Timothy 2:8-15 Women's Rights Judith Martin has been writing Miss Manners for over twenty-five years. She answers questions of all sorts, from those of simple table etiquette to more complex questions of social graces. “You can deny all you want that there is etiquette, and a lot of people do in everyday life,” Miss Manners explains. “But if you behave in a way that offends the people you're trying to deal with, they will stop dealing with you.” Etiquette is a word that describes social propriety. This word propriety appears twice in our text today (1Ti 2:9, 15), and its meaning is richer than simple manners. It appears only one other time in the New Testament (cf. Acts 26:25) where it is translated “reasonable.” “What I am saying is true and reasonable,” Paul insists when Agrippa mocks his testimony as the words of a crazy man. “Propriety” refers to reasonable and appropriate actions. In today's passage, Paul sets forth guidelines for a life governed by Christian propriety. These actions are our reasonable response to the grace we have in Christ. For the men, propriety means peace (v. . As a reasonable response to the peace they have with God because of Christ, they must make peace with one another. For the women, propriety includes modesty in dress and submission. Propriety in dress doesn't necessarily forbid women to wear gold and pearls but emphasizes that their focus and energies should spent on inner beauty (cf. 1Peter 3:3-4). Propriety also means understanding proper roles in the family and church. This does not mean that women are relegated only to the kitchens and nurseries of the church. Paul obviously expects that women will want to learn and should continue learning (1Ti 2:11). However, men, not women, are given responsibility for the authority of the church and family (cf. Eph. 5:23). By submitting to these reasonable restraints in dress and decorum, women continue in the high calling of “faith, love and holiness” (v. 15). Today's passage is one of the most controversial biblical texts, and it has certainly been abused by some as an excuse to mistreat women. Note that Paul does not exclude women from pastoral roles because they lack the intellect or leadership savvy. He bases his argument on the order of creation (1Ti 2:13). The argument is not cultural or psychological but inherently biblical. And as we seek to understand this text today, may our approach parallel Paul's in that we allow the Bible to speak for itself and by itself. QUESTION - Should we raise our hands/clap our hands during worship? ANSWER - Scripture commands that we worship God, that we exalt His name and offer Him our praise. There is biblical precedent for both the lifting of hands and the clapping of hands as an act of worship. Psalms 47:1 says, “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” In this instance, both clapping and shouting out joyful worship to God are urged. In 1 Timothy 2:8, we read, “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.” The emphasis of this verse is the attitude of the heart; however, we see that lifting hands is an appropriate posture for prayer and worship. Having these biblical precedents, we can safely conclude that both of those expressions can be an act of worship. What we need to ascertain is if those expressions, or indeed if any specified expression, is an actual requirement for worship. In examining specific acts of worship in the Scriptures, we see there are a variety of expressions and postures. We’ve already seen the command to clap our hands and shout to the Lord. “The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: ‘He is good; his love endures forever.’ Then the temple of the LORD was filled with a cloud” (2 Chronicles 5:13). So we see that singing praises and playing instruments were also appropriate expressions of worship. Singing as worship is also found in Ephesians 5:19, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.” The postures of worship include standing, kneeling, prostrating ourselves, eyes lifted up, eyes cast down, and hands raised. We do not see one specific posture universally required in worship, and neither do we see one specific “authorized” expression of worship. We can conclude, therefore, that the raising of hands and/or the clapping of hands during worship is an appropriate expression of worship, although neither is required for worship. John 4:24 says, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." Worship is a spiritual event, and true worship comes from the heart. If our worship is not heartfelt, it doesn’t matter what posture or expression of worship we use. If our worship is from the heart, God accepts our worship. GotQuestions.org Warren